I am a lucky woman, blessed, you might say. I have some special friends, women I worked with during my teaching career, who have become lifelong friends. Even though we don't work together anymore, we enjoy meeting for coffee and meals, going for walks, talking about books, and keeping up with each other's lives.
The reason I'm telling you this is because I lost one of these women this week. This is a picture of the seven of us from a few years back. We used to celebrate the end of the school year with a dinner out at our favorite restaurant. I'm back there on the right by the window, and Holly is right next to me. Holly lost her battle with brain cancer this week.
Even though I am old enough to have been Holly's mom, that didn't matter. We (all of us) have enjoyed a lot of fun things together. Holly loved Broadway musicals, as I do, so every now and then a group of us would get tickets and go together. "Mamma Mia" was, and still is, a favorite!
We participated in different kinds of walks for charity and just for fun. This one was on a very cold December day. I think it was called the Kris Kringle 5k.
When Holly was diagnosed with glioblastoma and began this journey, we all got these t-shirts to wear to support her.
"Embrace the journey" was her favorite saying.
I'm not sure what to do with this t-shirt now. Maybe I can make a small wall-hanging out of it. Just not sure yet.
We've shared teaching methods, students, life events, ups and downs, books, meals, adult beverages, you name it. On Tuesday this week, Trish (front left in my first photo) sent us this photo with the caption, "Holly painted the sky for us this morning!"
I'm sharing this as my "I Like Thursday" post, because I was and am so blessed with these friends. And I feel the same about all of you whom I've met as a blogger. Friends are precious! Thanks for visiting today!
Find more good Thursday posts at Not Afraid of Color!
28 comments:
I am sorry for your loss. Teachers are so lucky to have lifelong friendships. My mom too, was a teacher, and one of her good friends passed away suddenly last week. I remember when that lady began teaching, I was in 3rd grade. Those friendships trickle over to include families--caring, praying, and counseling each other, throughout the years. I think that shirt would make an awesome wall hanging.
Our girl support teams are so important.
I'm so sorry Diann, she sounds and looks like such a dear person. I know your heart is sore with her loss. How wonderful you are in such a wonderful group of friends who can comfort each other.
so sad to have lost a friend and one who still could have had many more years to enjoy. Cancer sucks and I so wish the medical scientist could come up with a treatment to get rid of it immediately. I'm glad that she had friends like you all seem to be and to have been loved.
I'm so sorry for your loss Diann. You are right, we are blessed with wonderful friends and she sounds too young to have passed so soon. Hugs and hugs dear friend.
So sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose friends, no matter what the reason. Keep wearing the shirt, it has a good message and will help you remember her friendship every time you put it on.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree with Carole: keep wearing and enjoying the t-shirt. Every time you wear it, you will remember Holly, and in this way, celebrate her life and her importance to you. I am a teacher, my daughter is a teacher, and my sister and several of our cousins are teachers. Teacher friends are precious to us.
Well, this got tears brimming in my eyes, as I can relate to this on so many levels. I have dear friends from teaching days who shared similar outings, students, prep, commiserations, moanings, celebrations... and with whom I am still in touch. How tragic for young Holly. Women share deep bonds because we are so much more heart-centred than the majority of males, and so this loss is profound. May the pain you now feel gradually be softened by wonderful memories of happy shared times.
I’m so sorry! It’s so important to have women friends and when you can truly say they are your “tribe” then you are doubly blessed! Thank you for sharing photos of your special friends! As for the tee shirt...the idea will come to you!
I am so sorry to hear of your friend's passing. I know the hurt is foremost right now, but just keep remembering the fun times and know that her spirit lives on.
Holly certainly can paint a gorgeous sky. So sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Hugs to you. Maybe you need to keep wearing the t-shirt in remembrance of her.
What beautiful words about your friends. I'm sorry to hear you lost one of them and, of all things, to brain cancer. Our friends, whether near to us or virtual or anywhere in between, are our strengths. We depend on them through thick & thin. My sincerest sympathies.
Dear Diann, this is sad news. You have shared a wonderful tribute to your friend Holly. May you find comfort as you embrace the next part of the journey. {{{quilty hugs}}} <3 Pat
I'm so sorry you lost your friend. And I'm so glad you have such wonderful friends in your life. As for the tshirt, why not keep wearing it on occasion? It'll be like a hug from Holly every time.
I am so sorry. Glio is a devastating cancer.
I say wear the t-shirt every time you walk in nice weather. Celebrate her life. When it's worn out, make yourself a memory pillow :-)
Hugs to you.
Oh Diann, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. (My eyes are leaking a bit as I write this.) I agree with the others, that the shirt should continue, in Holly's honor. Maybe it should be a shirt worn to celebrate the day she painted the sky for you. Hugs to you today, my sweet friend.
Diann - Such a difficult week for your group. To lose a special friend and not be able to get together for a group hug! She, and all the group, sound like the kind of people that we all look for. I'm so sorry for your loss.
what a loss and what a blessing to have spent time with her and that smiling group of support.
I'm sorry for the loss of another good woman
I am very sorry for your loss, Diann! Hugs!
So sorry, Diann. Friends are more precious than everything, and hopefully you have a beautiful group to share good memories of your friend.
Hugs ❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss, Diann. The disease that took Holly is the same one that took my Dad 12 years ago. Making a wall hanging or a pillow from your Journey t-shirt would be a lovely item to remember your dear friend.
I am so sorry for you loss Diann.
I too, am sorry for your loss. It is so very hard to say goodbye to people we love..I just hate it...sending you quilty love xo
How sad to lose such a good friend and at so young an age. Also hard when your group of friends can't get together to celebrate Holly's life. May the memories of the good times you had ease the pain of your loss. Lots of virtual hugs from your quilting buddies everywhere.
Pat
I am so sorry for your loss. But Holly sounds like a special person, and how lucky you were to have her in your life. How nice you have the photos and lovely memories.
So sorry Diann for the loss of your dear friend. Cancer is such a horrible disease. I am sure you will cherish the times you spent together.
Sorry for your loss. It's good that you've got such fun memories of your friend. Prayers for her family and all her friends.
I'm just catching up with reading my blogs and I'm sorry that you are dealing with the loss of your good friend. (((HUGS))) I lost one of my best friends a year ago in January. She had lung cancer and had never smoked. I was glad she didn't need to worry about COVID. Blessings are all around us - I like the photo your other friend posted. Keep the memory alive and enjoy the journey!
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